FC Bayern Munich: An Early Trip to Wolfsburg Awaits Ahead of London Clash

"Never change a winning team" is the old adage. Louis van Gaal used to really take this to heart. Jupp Heynckes would beg to differ though.

Last week, he changed up a winning side; the result was arguably better. A demoralized Schalke side that never seemingly had any intention to win easily wilted to Bayern pressure, losing 4-0.

Schalke started off the match decently; however, Marco Hoger gave away an early penalty allowing Bayern to take the lead. In the absence of Thomas Muller (who was surely grinning from the bench), David Alaba got up and converted from the spot. Bastian Schweinsteiger converted a free-kick; the goal was arguably the best of the match and was celebrated by him and Dante with a special dance.

In the second half, the superb Alaba added yet another to his tally. Mario Gomez, who started the match in place of Mario Mandzukic, scored Bayern's fourth after missing a plethora of chances earlier in the match.

Arjen Robben started this match in place of Thomas Muller; in the first half, he seemed to slow the game down initially. However, he grew into the match and put in a good performance despite not scoring on the day.

Bayern's next opponent prior to the all important away trip to London, is a side led by the wily Dieter Hecking. Hecking is the only coach to have taken points off Bayern away from home this season. His Nurnberg side put in a strong (if slightly physical) showing in the first half of the season to deny Bayern three points on the road. His side scored the only away goal which Bayern has conceded so far this season.

Under Hecking, Wolfsburg has registered seven points in four games. The general consensus is that Wolfsburg will eventually grow into Hecking's tactics.The team from northern Germany is expected to defend in a disciplined manner. They are coming into this one on the back of a 0-1 win over bottom side Greuther Furth.

Bayern was utterly dominant in the earlier clash between the two and won 3-0. The Allianz Arena was treated to a display of scintillating football that day. Schweinsteiger opened the scoring. Mario Mandzukic added two more against his former club on a day in which Bayern controlled in excess of 60 percent possession.

Javier Martinez is absent with a toe problem from this one. Luiz Gustavo is supposed to step in. Patrick Helmes could be back for Wolfsburg on the bench after yet another injury. Ivica Olic, who had perhaps the best spell of his career with Bayern, is set to take part in this match against his former club. Mario Mandzukic is set to start for Bayern seemingly against his former side.

This will probably be the lineup for Bayern in this match:

Manuel Neuer

Philipp Lahm- Daniel van Buyten- Dante- David Alaba

Bastian Schweinsteiger- Luiz Gustavo

Thomas Muller- Toni Kroos- Franck Ribery

Mario Mandzukic

Wolfsburg does not have the most convincing home record in the league. Wolfsburg has only earned 10 points from 10 home matches. They are the third worst league side in terms of home performances.

Bayern has an incredible away record with only two points dropped on the road this season. This clash should yield only one result; however Hecking will not let Bayern get three points as easily as the rest of Bayern's opponents have done.